The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners has given the green light to an emergency hoteling program in Pottstown, a measure aimed at providing temporary shelter for individuals facing homelessness. Authorized during a recent Board Meeting, the Commissioners set plans in motion to allocate 62 rooms at the Days Inn Pottstown, with prioritization for those residing on Norfolk Southern and Borough of Pottstown properties, as per a recent civic announcement.
As the harsh winter conditions exacerbate the struggles of the homeless, this program represents a bridge to more stable, long-term housing solutions. Neil K. Makhija, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "It's unacceptable that any of our residents are sleeping on the streets, especially during a brutally cold winter. That's why Montgomery County has and will continue to take steps to address homelessness with compassion and urgency," reported Montgomery County's official site.
The Commissioners have also greenlighted emergency funding for Opportunity House to provide comprehensive 24/7 support services to those in need, pending zoning variance approval from Pottstown. With the variance's approval, the program could expand to include as many as 98 rooms and an array of services, such as assistance with permanent housing placement, behavioral health services, and connections to various community and mainstream services.
Vice Chair of the Board, Jamila H. Winder expressed her long-standing commitment to the cause: “Housing the unsheltered has been one of my key priorities as a Commissioner, and over the last year, I have proudly been advocating that the County use our resources and convening power to bring transitional housing opportunities to residents in need across the County,” she told MontCo. Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller acknowledged the partnership’s value, stating, “This collaborative effort helps bridge the gap in services as we await the completion of the permanent shelter facility.”
Local officials, such as Montgomery County Commissioner Thomas DiBello and Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller, have praised the collective initiative. Funding for the program, which has an initial six-month term, is set at approximately $669,600. The 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count indicated that Pottstown has one of the largest populations of homelessness within the county, with 55 individuals documented as homeless and an estimated 359 residents unsheltered year-round in the borough.
For residents experiencing homelessness seeking help, the Montgomery County Your Way Home Call Center is available at 610.278.3522. This recent development is an important step toward combatting the homelessness crisis in Montgomery County, providing a much-needed lifeline to those struggling to find a place to call home during the cold winter months.
